Mailbox signal



Feb. 24, 1959 F. w. OPP ET AL MAILBOX SIGNAL Filed March 28, 1955 p a Q? WW5 mp0 N m y M VM 7 m 2 .7 a 2 W Z/ W United States Patent MAILBOX SIGNAL Fred W. Opp, Costa Mesa, and Walter H. Opp, Pasadena, Calif.

Application March 28, 1955, Serial No. 496,994

1 Claim. (Cl. 232-35) This invention relates to a signal and more particularly to a device for attachment to a mailbox to automatically signal when the same has been opened to deposit mail therein.

We are aware that various prior proposals have been made for attachments to mailboxes, particularly to mailboxes of the type generally employed in rural communities to automatically signal when the box has been opened to deposit mail therein. However, the prior devices of which we are aware were unnecessarily complicated, causing them to be costly and subject to wear and destruction. Itis accordingly one object of this invention to provide a device which is exceedingly simple, economical to manufacture and practically indestructible.

These and other objects, features and advantages will be apparent from the specification in which Figure l is a perspective elevation of a mailbox having attached thereto one embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 2 is a section taken along the line 22 of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a plan view of the signal proper.

Figure 4 is a cross'section taken on line 6-6 of Figure 3.

Referring now in particular to the drawings, there is shown a mailbox of the type approved by the Postmaster General for rural free delivery which conventionally includes a hinged door 11 hinged at its lower edge as at 12 and provided with an inwardly directed flange 13. Such mailboxes conventionally include a strap 14 riveted to the door 11 and a strap 15 riveted to the top of the box as by spaced rivets 16 and 17.

In the preferred embodiment of the present invention shown in Figures 1 through 3, a signal 18 is provided comprising essentially a slat 19 of spring material having an opening 20 stamped therein and a tongue 21 cut from the material and extending into the opening 20 as most clearly shown in Figure 3. The slat 19 can very conveniently be formed of a piece of metal Venetian blind slat and Will therefore be provided with a bowed configuration as most clearly shown in Figure 6. At one end of the signal 18 there is attached a strap 22 preferably provided with a rivet 23. As shown, the strap is attached by passing one end thereof through a slot 24 in the slat 19 and stitching the parts together as at 25.

When it is desired to attach the signal 18 to the mail- 12,874,895 Patented Feb. 24, 1959 ice box 10, the slat 19 is placed upon the top of the mailbox with the opening 20 having been passed over the strap 15 and its edges engaging under the strap. When the slat has thus been placed over the strap 15, the tongue 21, being resilient, is snapped under the inner end of the strap so that the V-shaped indentation 26 in the tongue 21 engages the shank of the rivet 17, and the V-shaped indentation 27 in the end of the opening 20 engages the shank of the rivet 16. It will thus be seen that the signal is readily and easily installed upon the mailbox and is securely held when once installed.

When it is desired to use the signal, it is merely necessary to insert the end of the strap 22 between the flange 13 and the rolled edge 28 of the top of the mailbox. The strap 22 will be thus clamped in position, but to assure that it will be firmly held therein, the rivet 23 is provided to assure that the strap will not pull out from between the flange 13 of the door 11 and the rolled edge 28. When the mailbox is opened to insert mail, the clamping action on the strap 22 is removed and the signal is permitted to fly up to the position shown in dotted lines in Figure 1 under the force of the spring material which comprises the slat 19.

While there have been described what are at present considered preferred embodiments of the present invention, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications can be made therein without departing from the essence of the invention and it is intended to cover herein all such changes and modifications as come Within the true spirit and scope of the appended claim.

We claim:

A signal for a mailbox of the type provided with a hinged front door and a strap attached to the upper side by rivets comprising a single strip of spring resilient material having adjacent one end thereof a tapered opening having four edges including a front, a back and two sides, the front edge being narrower than the width of said strap and having an indentation, said front end edge being adapted to be engaged under said strap and adjacent the shank of one of said rivets, the side edges of said opening being adaptable to engage under said strap, the back edge of said opening carrying a flexible tongue with an indented edge, said flexible tongue being adapted to be sprung under said strap adjacent the shank of the other rivet to provide a permanent hold thereon, said strip being foldable upon itself to position the other end! adjacent the door, and having an element thereon adapted to engage said door to retain said signal in a folded downward position but releasable to an upward position upon opening of said door.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 531,384 Olson Dec. 25, 1894 1,021,147 Green Mar. 26, 1912 2,428,423 Hurban Oct. 7, 1947 2,483,992 Young Oct. 4, 1949 2,730,298 Haserodt Jan. 10, 1956 

